annoying car shake..

so I'm trying to go on a trip west but i need to finally get this vibration issue figured out. I've had wheels balanced, alignment, all tie rods checked, ball joints, LCA bushing cv joints checked. i just ordered hub centric rings which i hope is the culprit but I've taken my wheels on and off before and never had an issue like this. I've got upgraded calipers so i don't think they are sticking as i don't notice and odors and they aren't all hot after a long drive. car shakes once i hit around 50-70 then kinda calms down a bit around 75-80 but its still there. also car shakes bad when i hit the brakes. I really don't wanna have to buy new rotors if its not nessacary. only other thing i can think of is driveshaft issues. the puzzling part is the fact it vibrates while driving and braking. any input is immensely appreciated.

What are your most current alignment specs?

i would have to check the sheet again but i know the fronts were within spec for toe and camber is around 1.0 in the from and the rears are 1.1 left and 1.3 right. the rear camber bolts are seized so can't adjust

I would say that its rotors. Maybe have them turned or at least checked to rule that out. But I did have a car in the past that did that, even with new brakes, and even tho the ball joints and tie rods checked out when looked at, when I replaced them the vibration went away.

i really don't think its the tie rods or ball joints. i upgraded those and recently had both tie rods of to replace axles. and they were still very tight. I'm kinda thinking its the rotors so i was gonna try and re bed the pads and hopefully that does the trick. its so frustrating I'm sick of buying parts and having it not fix the issue.

+1 check rotors

rotors for sure, mine are doing it also and ive noticed some deposits on the discs.

its def what I'm leaning towards just never had such a bad vibration from such an issue. i just hope re bedding the pads works. I'm not sure if i can have alcon rotors turned if anyone knows anything about that would be helpful to know as new rotors are around 350$ a side..

If it's doing it both under cruising and braking (ie, non-braking AND braking at speeds) I would suggest you check out the steering rack and/or steering rack bushings.

I hadn't thought of that area i will def add it too the list. Thx !!

I still have some vibration under braking on my specb, I'm still running oem brakes. Haven't had time to swap the brembos from my obxt. But since I got the spec, which is super low miles, I've had vibration under hard braking over 50mph since I got it, not too bad but annoying. I've tried re-bedding several times, but it's just not enough to get it completely clean, at that point it just needs to be turned. I don't see why you would't be able to turn your rotors, you're just making a pretty simple facing cut on a lathe.

 

In addition to this, a little more toe than I thought I was running was giving me the feeling you describe. The two of the issues compounded each other when braking at freeway speeds, which was when I felt it most. The alignment is spot on now and vibration decreased by a good amount above 60mph, and only remains on hard braking. Just need to swap my brakes. It could be a couple things factoring into it, but likely brake rotor deposits. You could try removing them and really cleaning them to see if that works without turning them down.

I can't help you pinpont the answer for your vibrations, however if they are related to rotors, here are a few tips that I've found indispensable over the years.

 

not using a torque wrench + star pattern to equally torque down your wheels will definitely cause some rotor troubles in the long run.

 

regarding turning: http://www.oeqf.com/techinfo/scratching/scratching_lg.htm

Watch this!

 

I'd rather get me some new rotors than have my old ones improperly turned, any day.

I can't help you pinpont the answer for your vibrations, however if they are related to rotors, here are a few tips that I've found indispensable over the years.

 

not using a torque wrench + star pattern to equally torque down your wheels will definitely cause some rotor troubles in the long run.

 

regarding turning: http://www.oeqf.com/techinfo/scratching/scratching_lg.htm

Watch this!

 

I'd rather get me some new rotors than have my old ones improperly turned, any day.

 

A lot of people seem to advise not turning these rotors fwir.

That's just a good explanation why you never have an independent auto shop, or even some "brake specialists" turn your rotors. I always have anything like that done by a machinist. You can also turn rotors on a 3-axis mill, you just need to make sure you gauge it and that it's perfectly level.

ya i sent an email to STaSIS or about there STaSIS bbk kit and waiting to hear from them. tried rebedding the pads and didn't change anything. i did notice i have a worn bearing in an end link so not sure if it was that. its just weird to me that it shakes at speed and while braking. i hope the hub centric rings help. but i used the wheels al last summer and never had rings or this issue

Did a wheel weight fall off maybe? Does the whole car feel like it's shaking or is it mostly vibration you feel in the steering wheel that transmits into the chassis a bit?

i would think not. long story short i had my winter setup on and starting getting a bad vibration. winter setup is stock struts/springs stock brakes and stock wheels with winters on them. I'm leaving to go out west so i figured i would get new tires for summer wheels. throw on my BBK and coil overs. and everything should be riding great because it did when i took them off. car still shakes.. so to me its gotta be something other than those items.

How do the LCA bushing look? If they're bad that could cause a lot of shake and vibration when braking and driving.

 

But, as others have said, most vibrations under braking is due to rotors. Turn them or buy new ones.

all bushings were upgraded 35K miles ago and they are still very tight in feel but doesn't hurt to double check